John Bute

📢 Why are November and December interesting Months for eDiscovery Recruitment As we approach the year-end, it’s natural for the eDiscovery recruitment market to slow down. Here’s why: Many companies finalise their budgets in December, with new allocations expected in January. However, delays in approvals mean that significant hiring activity often doesn’t pick up until February or March. This creates a seasonal lull and opens opportunities for those who act strategically. 🎯 For Candidates: If you’re on the lookout for your next eDiscovery role, early in the year is prime time to apply. Once budgets are approved, companies move quickly to secure the right people. Use this quieter period to polish your CV, prepare for interviews, and align your goals with the upcoming opportunities. I am here to help you with this, and approach the market correctly. 💡 For Employers: If your team has an immediate need, don’t wait. Act now to secure the best candidates before January's hiring frenzy. Yes, a 2-3 stage hiring process can be completed in as little as two weeks — it’s been done and works well when urgency aligns with focus. Whether you’re hiring or job-hunting, the key is timing. Reach out today for more information. #eDiscovery #Recruitment #JobSearch #HiringTips #CareerMoves

34

7 Comments

Is it time to bring in a compliance officer? Over the last 12 months, there has been a serious shift in the regulatory landscape for law firms with the SRA tightening its rules and ramping up its enforcement efforts. For many COLPs and Managing Partners, the increased scrutiny and complex requirements mean dedicating an overwhelming amount of time to compliance-related tasks. From meticulous record-keeping to navigating the intricacies of new regulations, the demands are stretching their already full schedules. The impact this is having on firms is huge 🔍 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - enhanced reporting and documentation requirements are taking significant hours away from client work and strategic firm mansgement. 🔍 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 & 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 - heightened focus on compliance is adding to the stress of a COLP & Managing Partners role, impacting their overall efficiency and well-being. 🔍 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗼𝗻-𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 - With so many details to track, the risk of inadvertently faiing short of SRA standards is a real growing concern. 💼 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣? Hiring a dedicated compliance professionals I'm working with a lot of COLPs who are now opting to bring in dedicated compliance professionals. Having a specialised team member to solely focus on navigating the complex regulatory maze can help firms 🔒 𝗘𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 - Maintain consistent adherence to SRA guidelines 🔒 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 - Free up COLPs & Managing Partners time to fcus on their core responsibilities and firm growth 🔒 𝗠𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 -Reduce the likelihood of non-compliance and associated penalties. This continued change in compliance, and hiring a dedicated function is not just an annoying additional cost the business. It will save you, Time, Money and Resources. If you're thinking about adding someone to the team to take it off your plate, drop me a message. [email protected] #SRA #legalcompliance #compliance #COLP Creds to Aventine Lab for the graphic below

10

6 Comments

Do you really know why there is a business need for a Compliance hire when interviewing? Turnover of MLRO's and Head's of Compliance has been a key discussion point for quite a few conversations I've had recently. One of the questions you as a candidate can ask in an interview can help you understand the exact reason why the business is looking for a Compliance individual. A Compliance team must possess: ✅ Regulatory expertise. ✅ Technological expertise. ✅ Investigative nature. ✅ Stakeholder management. ✅ Effective business wide training. ✅ Effective leadership. It doesn't matter if you're strong in all these skills or only a select few. Interviewing for a Compliance position can be a mutual discussion about where the business really needs one or more of the above skills, and understanding where you can bring value and grow your career. Any misalignment in business need and candidate expectation can result in an expensive wrong hire or short tenure. What are the other skills you would add? #compliance #financialcrime #interviewtips

31

6 Comments

**Market Update** As we head closer to the end of the year, please find my current vacancies in the Compliance Market below. If you want to learn more information about any of the below, please reach out! #compliance #insurance #lloydsoflondon #fca #hiring

30

6 Comments

📈 Hiring a Third Party Risk Managers in London? Here's what you need to know! 🔍 The Quest for a Top-Notch Third Party Risk Manager (#TPRM) in the city of #London can be quite the adventure. With financial stakes and company reputations on the line, the hunt for the ideal candidate is more crucial than ever. 💷 Let's talk numbers - you're looking at a minimum of £65k, climbing all the way up to £100k+ for the seasoned pros. Averaging out, your sweet spot will be around £70-80k. 📅 Considering contractors? Daily rates vary from £400 to £800, offering that sweet flexibility. 🎯 Key Skills - candidates should not only talk the talk but walk the walk with risk management frameworks, vendor pro's, with a solid grasp of compliance regs like GDPR. Add in analytical skills, negotiation, and tech skills for good measure. 🚀 London's dynamic, but the right person is out there - think outside the box, network, and tap into the rich local talent pool. 🛠 Want some more TPRM information? Lets chat, the market is hotting up! 🌞 #RiskManagement #Recruiting #Cybersecurity

19

1 Comment

Evening all, Next week, the UK budget announcements are set to take place, potentially impacting the cyber landscape. Key factors to consider include: - Regulatory Changes: Stricter data protection laws and mandatory incident reporting may necessitate businesses to bolster security measures and transparency. - Financial Incentives: Grants, subsidies, and tax breaks could mitigate costs for upgrading cyber security technologies. - Workforce Training: Increased funding for training programs can bridge the talent gap and elevate workforce skills. - Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborating with governmental and private entities may enhance knowledge sharing and resource allocation. - SME Support: Small and medium-sized enterprises might receive tailored assistance to strengthen their cyber defences. - Global Compliance: Businesses in international trade might need to align with UK and global cyber security norms. Overall, the upcoming budget could drive substantial changes, pushing businesses to invest more in cyber security while offering financial and regulatory aid to boost resilience. The cyber world is ever-changing; we will have to see next week how the budget will affect the sector. #UKBudget #CyberSecurity #BusinessSupport #Partnerships

11

Calling legal professionals in my network! If you have 2 minutes (e.g. on the train or whilst sitting eating your lunch), please complete this anonymous survey to help us record and evaluate trends in legal salaries across the UK!

3

At a career junction? 🚦 Find your fit with London's top legal recruiters. We are able to help tailor your career path, crafting the perfect fit for your skills and ambitions. 🧤 With deep market insight, recruiters are your navigators in London's legal terrain, helping you uncover roles that align with your niche. Think of us as career architects, uncovering hidden opportunities and shaping your professional journey. 🎯 The matchmakers, aligning your drive with the right firm's culture and opportunities. Lost in the career fog? Connect with us. The right conversation could be your launchpad. 🚀 Discover your legal career's next chapter. Chat with us at douglas-scott.co.uk - let's craft your next move together. #CareerGrowth #LegalRecruitment #OpportunityKnocks #DouglasScott

6

The SRA has published its new Warning Notice (21 June) warns against funds missing from a firm's client account. The SRA has made it clear shortages will not be tolerated. Whilst the SRA hasn't reported any sanctions decisions relating to this issue in particular recently, the warning notice outlines the risks of firms failing to quickly address a shortage. Firms will note the relatively recent closure of Axiom Ince last year, where the SRA reported the largest shortage in client account funds of £64m. #SRA #compliance #riskandcompliance #lawfirm

1

The European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act) has been passed and will come into force on a phased basis over the next two-to-three years. It represents a landmark legislative effort to regulate AI across member states. 🤖 Although the UK is no longer part of the EU, the reach and influence of this act will affect UK businesses that interact with the EU market and employers that use AI systems which affect staff located in the EU. To what extent could these rules impact UK businesses? https://bit.ly/3VQz73A #ReedLegal #AI #Law #Business #Efficiency #Regulation

3

1 Comment

Did you know we recruit at ALL levels in Law Firm Risk & Compliance? From Assistant to Head of, from Junior Analyst to General Counsel, and everything in between. See our current vacancies here - https://lnkd.in/ecnN2dPY #compliance #AML #conflicts #risk

3

🔍 How Tech is Transforming Legal Recruitment Technology is reshaping legal recruitment, moving us beyond traditional CV reviews. AI and machine learning now help us match candidates to roles with greater precision and efficiency. 📈 At Douglas Scott, we use these advancements to streamline recruitment, save time, and place candidates where they thrive. Tech also enhances the candidate experience with virtual interviews, AI-driven assessments, and personalised job recommendations. For more on this, head to the link: https://lnkd.in/gNNSHcii How has tech improved your recruitment process? Share below! 👇 #legalrecruitment #techinlaw #innovation

4

A troubling statistic that stood out in my recent survey results was that over 38% 📈 of risk and compliance professionals felt undervalued in their present roles. That means as leaders you have two out of every five employees unhappy on your team and not feeling recognised or rewarded for their contributions. Interestingly 💡 despite this dissatisfaction, only 6% of those polled said they were actively looking for a new role and many said they were too busy in their current role to even think about it. Recognition is a critical part of driving team culture and leaders can be trapped in a cycle of flagging constructive feedback and tackling challenges but fail to recognise your quiet achievers, your A-players who you've become complacent in recognising because they always deliver. As we enter one of the busiest quarters of the calendar year in financial services just a friendly reminder to recognise and reward your team for their efforts in what can be a very challenging vertical. #financialservices #recognition #Employeesurvey #riskandcompliance Kaizen Recruitment

13

1 Comment

The Future of Recruitment Agencies in London’s Legal Sector: In-House vs. External Talent London’s legal recruitment landscape is evolving, with the rise of in-house recruitment teams raising questions about the future of external agencies. While in-house teams offer benefits like cost efficiency, tailored processes, and access to technology, they face challenges in areas such as specialization, scalability, and access to passive candidates. Recruitment agencies still hold a strong position, particularly for executive search, niche roles, temporary staffing, and international recruitment. Their deep networks, market expertise, and ability to source specialized talent ensure they remain valuable, especially for hard-to-fill or senior positions. Rather than being phased out, agencies are likely to collaborate more with in-house teams in a hybrid recruitment model. In-house teams may handle standard hires, while agencies focus on high-level roles and bring industry insights that internal teams may lack. Ultimately, the future of recruitment in London’s legal sector is a blend of both in-house and agency-driven efforts, with each playing a crucial role in sourcing the best talent.

1

July has been a very busy month across our Compliance desks here in London and it doesn't look like this is going to slow down as we head into August. Please see a snapshot of some of the live roles we're actively recruiting for below and reach out for a confidential discussion if you would be interested in finding out more about any of these. #Coopman #Compliance #FinancialServices

16

ADVICE... Recently I've been speaking to a few grads and legal professionals who are looking to transition into compliance. After seeing the opportunities that come in compliance now, the career progression and salaries that compete with those of a solicitor. It's definitely an increasing career path for juniors. So to those Compliance Analysts in my network, what tips and advice would you give to someone just starting out? #compliancecareer #legalcompliance #financialcompliance

14

14 Comments

Independent AML Audit - £995 + VAT https://lnkd.in/dQrXiiAF for info. I spoke recently with a law firm about them using it as part of their due diligence - on acquisition targets. Interesting. Obviously worth doing for your own firm as well to check your staff are following your AML policies. See the link for what we do. Built around what the SRA want. Some of our clients ask us to do this every 2 years. Sensible. #lawfirm #AML #moneylaundering #legalissues #lawyers

3

Virtual SRA conferences this week: Dear David Today our Compliance Officers Virtual Conference 2024 starts. This will be running from today, until Thursday 28 November.  These sessions will be broadcast via YouTube and the links are below. Where relevant, we encourage you to submit your questions as soon as possible, although you can still send them in during each live broadcast. If you are unable to watch any of the sessions live, you can view them on demand. We will be sending you daily reminders of the links.  1. Timetable and YouTube links Monday 25 November 11.30 - 12.30 Anti-money laundering (AML) - latest updates and guidance  YouTube link Submit your questions Rate this session 13.00 - 14.00 AI and lawtech: preparing your firm for the future YouTube link Submit your questions Rate this session Tuesday 26 November  10.00 - 10.45 Assistive technology in the workplace YouTube link Rate this session This session is pre-recorded and not accepting questions. 11.30 - 12.10 A conversation with the SRA Chair and Chief Executive YouTube link Rate this session This session is pre-recorded and not accepting questions. 14.30 - 15.30 Continuing competence: meeting your requirements  YouTube link Submit your questions Rate this session Wednesday 27 November 10.00 - 11.00 Your compliance queries YouTube link Submit your questions Rate this session 11.30 - 12.30  Your Accounts Rules queries YouTube link Submit your questions Rate this session 13.30 - 14.30 Consumer protection: our review and what you need to know YouTube link Submit your questions Rate this session Thursday 28 November 10.30 - 11.30 Workplace culture: why it matters and how to improve it YouTube link Submit your questions Rate this session 12.00 - 13.00 Financial crime: staying ahead of the criminals YouTube link Submit your questions Rate this session 13.30 - 14.30 Cybercrime: navigating a real-life cyber-attack YouTube link Submit your questions Rate this session  2. Bitesize sessions Following the success of our lunchtime bitesize sessions at our event on 5 November, we also have two short pre-recorded sessions to view at your leisure. AML: client/matter risk assessments YouTube link Rate this session Probate thematic review  YouTube link Rate this session  3. Share this event with colleagues  If you have any colleagues who would still like to register for this virtual event, please feel free to share this link. If you have any queries, please email: [email protected] Yours sincerely   SRA Events The Solicitors Regulation Authority Limited is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales. Our registered offices are: The Cube, 199 Wharfside Street, Birmingham, B1 1RN. Our company registration number is: 12608059.     

2